Colt World Series things to watch

Hoosier North catcher Owen Walbaum tags David Castro of Mexico out at home for the final out of the bottom of the sixth inning during the championship of the 2016 Colt World Series at Loeb Stadium. Mexico defeated Hoosier North 6-5.(Photo: John Terhune/Journal & Courier)Buy Photo

Hoosier North provided an exciting storyline for local Colt World Series fans when the team comprised of area high school baseball players emerged from the loser's bracket to advance to the finals last year.

The Colt World Series, a summer Lafayette tradition since 1969, begins Friday at 11 a.m. with Upland, Calif. playing Crowley, La. The Lafayette All-Stars will play The Netherlands at 8 p.m. at Loeb Stadium.

Hoosier North will take the field at 4 p.m. Saturday, playing the winner of Aruba and Great Lakes Bay Area, Michigan.

Here are some storylines to follow.

Can Hoosier North do it again?

Hoosier North was embarrassed by Caribbean zone entrant Aruba 18-5 in its opening game a year ago. But Hoosier North came back to beat Aruba 9-8 and then 11-5 in a dramatic 12-inning game that sent them to the title contest. Hoosier North eventually lost to Tijuana, Mexico 6-5 later that day in the final.

"I would have to say it has a huge effect on interest," said Tim Clark, president of the Colt World Series executive board. "It does create a lot of excitement. When you see what those kids have done, the coaches have done and parents supporting those kids, it has a huge effect we hope it carries over into the tournament."

The most recent local team to win the Colt World Series was Hoosier North, which went back-to-back in 1999 and 2000.

The Netherlands makes its debut

The Netherlands is representing the European zone for the first time.

Before dismissing its chances in the tournament, a reminder that European representative Czech Republic won two games in 2015, and teams from the zone have continued to improve.

Can Korea take the next step

Fans took note of the hard-hitting Korean team from last year. Arguably one of the best teams to come out the Asia Pacific zone in recent years, Korea beat Central Michigan 16-13 and Greensboro, N.C., 13-6 to advance to the quarterfinals before falling to the Lafayette All-Stars 10-3. Some will wonder if Korea can best its offensive showing

Mexican repeat?

Los Mochis, Mexico will try to follow up on Tijuana's championship. Los Mochis advanced to the Colt World Series by beating Unison in the Mexican zone championship game 4-3.

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Players from Tijuana, Mexico, celebrate their 6-5 victory over Hoosier North in the title game of the 2016 Colt World Series at Loeb Stadium.(Photo: John Terhune/Journal & Courier)

Could it be one of these guys?

Los Gatos dominated the Colt World Series from 2011-14, winning the title four straight times from the West zone. This year, the West is represented by a team from Upland, Calif.

Aruba returns, joining a field that includes the Crowley (La.) Cajuns, Greensboro, N.C. and Great Lakes Bay Area, Mich.

Sponsor families step up

Colt World Series organizers were able to call on 47 local families to host players during the tournament. This arrangement gives players a real feel of the Lafayette area and help teams defray cost during the CWS.

Rising attendance again?

A total of 13,061 fans attended last year’s Colt World Series, including 2,803 for the championship game. That's up from 2015's total attendance of 10,725.